“In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.”
1 Timothy 4:6
Is your pastor feeding you a diet of sugary junk food instead of nutritional rich meals which feed the spirit? Unfortunately, far too many Christian congregations are being led by pastors who fail to teach the essential teachings of the faith and the truths contained in Scripture. What they are preaching from their pulpits are feel good, self-help, messages which satisfies the sweet tooth and gives the hearer an emotional high, but does nothing to feed the spiritual nature of the Christian. True believers are more than mere physical beings who are dependent on physical nourishment, they are spiritual beings dependent on spiritual nourishment. If you are not sure what spiritual nourishment is, Jesus explains it in Matt. 4:4. You remember the story—Jesus retreated into the wilderness and fasted for 40 days. The devil tempted Him with food by attempting to get Him to turn stones into bread. Jesus responded with scripture from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, “It is written. ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” The message behind this verse quoted by Jesus to resist the temptation; was that even though man is both body and spirit, he is driven and guided by his spirit. Though he is a physical creature dependent upon material goods for survival, he is much more a spiritual creature who is more dependent on spiritual truth. The truth that places him above all other creatures, able to overcome physical needs and temptations. The spirit of man is dependent and nourished only by the words that have come from the mouth of God— which are the Holy Scriptures.
Though man is a physical creature dependent upon material goods for survival, he is much more a spiritual creature who is more dependent on spiritual truth. The truth that places him above all other creatures, able to overcome physical needs and temptations. The spirit of man is dependent and nourished only by the words that have come from the mouth of God— which are the Holy Scriptures.
For the Christian, the words of God are like rich meals of nutritional foods which feed the spirit and satisfy the soul. A pastor who is a true shepherd of God feeds his congregation by proclaiming the Gospel and teaching the doctrines of the faith. In the opening verse, (1Tim. 4:6), the Apostle Paul teaches Timothy that a good pastor is nourished by the words of the Gospel and by the sound doctrine which he had been taught. As a result, the pastor nourishes his flock with the same Gospel and sound doctrine. The most grounded and effective Christians are those who are directed and taught by faithful pastors like Timothy, knowledgeable and competent in the Word of God, and the doctrines of the faith.
Are you being fed by a Timothy type pastor or are you having your sweet tooth satisfied by a motivational speaker posing as a minister of God? The junk food of sweet sounding sermons may be uplifting and encouraging for the moment and satisfy the emotional needs of the flesh, but it does nothing for the spirit. Only the Full Council of God, (the words and teachings of Scripture), are food for the spirit; able to nourish and grow the spirit. Biblical truth brings believers into greater relationship and union with Christ. It makes them pillars of the faith who are not swayed by false teachings and who are not easily overcome by the cares of this world; because they know that they are not of this world, but are members of more glorious place—the Kingdom of God.
“For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.”
Proverbs 2:6-8
Hosea 4:6 Teaching Ministry 
Leave a Reply